Unique features include video-capable arena "skin" and giant concourse

The Ilitch organization spent years studying hockey arenas and event centers across the country before settling on the novel design of what will be the Red Wings' new home in fall 2017. For Wings fans and concert and events-goers, the new $627-million arena will offer some amenities and features found in the best existing arenas and some that will be unique to Detroit.

"We've been able to go to every great building in the country and say, 'What's the best thing you did?'" said Tom Wilson, president and CEO of Olympia Entertainment.

Here are a few of the unique features that will greet future visitors:

1. Arena "skin"

The arena bowl's flashy exterior will be capable of changing colors and displaying video and graphics. Imagine a high-definition version of MotorCity Casino Hotel's neon board lighting up Detroit's old Cass Corridor. "You can project enormous images of the game while it's being played, and by enormous I mean 80 feet wide," Wilson explained.

2. Practice ice and team training rooms

The arena will have a belowground practice rink and extensive training and weight rooms for Red Wings players, who no longer will need to travel off-site for practice if the main ice is booked for an event. The practice ice also would be available for amateur hockey. The players' locker room will be about three times its current size at Joe Louis Arena and possibly be the largest in the National Hockey League. Olympia officials say these player amenities could help with recruiting.

3. Big concourse

The arena's concourse also will be about three times the size of Joe Louis Arena's. There will be concessions on one side and restaurants and merchandise stores on the other. Half of the concourse will be a skylit atrium. There also will be an outdoor plaza with a massive video wall that could display the game or concert.

4. "Gondola" seating

There will be two "gondolas" hanging from the rafters on both sides of the arena. One gondola will feature eight-seat boxes on the first level and party space on the second level with capacity for 300 people. The second gondola will mostly be for media, with broadcast media on the first level and other media upstairs.

5. Up-closeclub seating

The arena will have five different clubs, including one club position between the locker room and the ice. "So the players literally walk right through that club," Wilson said. "It will be the best chance in hockey to get close to your favorite players." The club will have room for about 250 ticket-paying fans or concert-goers.